Top Private Equity Firms in Ohio

Ohio, a powerhouse of industry and innovation in the American Midwest, is a strategic hub for private equity activity. With a diverse economy spanning manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and consumer goods, the state offers fertile ground for investment opportunities and growth. 

These firms provide crucial capital and operational expertise, helping Ohio-based companies to scale, innovate, and compete on a national stage. 

In this article, we’ll explore the top private equity and middle-market private equity firm players in Ohio, highlighting their investment focus, portfolio highlights, and key strategies.

1. The Riverside Company

With its global headquarters in Cleveland, The Riverside Company is one of the most prominent private equity firms in the world, specializing in the smaller end of the lower middle-market. Since its founding in 1988, Riverside has grown into a global investment company with over $13 billion in assets under capital management. 

The firm is known for its disciplined and systematic approach to equity investment in companies with earnings up to $30 million. They also help them grow through organic initiatives and add-on acquisitions. Riverside's extensive portfolio includes a wide array of industries, such as healthcare, software, and business services. 

The firm takes a hands-on, operational approach, providing its portfolio companies with access to a global team of experts and advisor resources. Their strategy focuses on professionalizing and growing smaller businesses into more formidable, successful enterprises.

2. Northcreek

Northcreek is a private equity firm located in Cincinnati that provides equity capital to lower-middle-market companies. The firm targets businesses in sectors like niche manufacturing, business services, and healthcare services. 

Northcreek is known for its partnership approach, working closely with business owners and management teams to execute growth strategies. The firm provides capital for a variety of situations, including management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate divestitures. 

By leveraging their extensive network and operational expertise, Northcreek helps its portfolio companies expand their market reach, improve operational efficiencies, and achieve significant growth. This contributes to the vibrant business ecosystem in Southern Ohio.

3. Align Capital Partners

Co-headquartered in Cleveland and Dallas, Align Capital Partners (ACP) is a growth-oriented private equity firm that targets lower-middle-market companies. Founded in 2016, ACP focuses on specialty manufacturing, business services, and technology companies. 

The firm’s strategy centers on a "first institutional capital" approach, partnering with owner-operated businesses to help them navigate their next phase of growth. ACP is known for its hands-on involvement, providing strategic guidance, operational resources, and support for add-on acquisitions. 

They typically invest in companies with less than $10 million in EBITDA, helping them build the infrastructure needed for sustainable scaling. Investments like WilliamsMarston, a specialized accounting advisory firm, showcase their ability to back and grow founder-led businesses.

4. The Townsend Group

With offices in Cleveland, The Townsend Group is a globally recognized investment company specializing in real assets, including real estate, infrastructure, timber, and agriculture. 

While not a traditional buyout-focused private equity firm, Townsend operates within the market private equity ecosystem by providing investment opportunities and capital management services to institutional clients worldwide.

With more than three decades of investment experience, Townsend offers strategic advisor support to pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and other large-scale investors. Their expertise in portfolio construction, equity investment strategy, and risk management has made them a trusted partner for clients seeking diversification and long-term performance. 

As a privately held firm with billions in committed capital, Townsend plays a unique role in Ohio’s financial landscape, connecting global capital with high-quality lower middle-market and core real asset investments.

5. Primus Capital

Cleveland’s Primus Capital is a private equity firm that provides growth capital to middle-market companies in the healthcare, software, and technology-enabled services sectors. Since 1984, Primus has built a reputation for partnering with management teams to accelerate growth and build market-leading businesses. 

The firm is flexible in its investment structure, making both minority and majority investments. The firm’s approach is rooted in deep domain expertise, allowing them to provide valuable insights and strategic direction. 

Primus supports companies through organic growth initiatives, such as new product development and sales team expansion, as well as through strategic M&A. Their portfolio includes successful companies like Universal CIS, a technology-enabled provider of credit data and related services.

6. Stonehenge Partners

Operating out of Columbus, Stonehenge Partners is a private equity firm that invests in lower-middle-market businesses across a variety of industries. Founded in 1999, Stonehenge provides a combination of mezzanine debt and equity to support buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth initiatives. 

This flexible capital structure makes them an attractive partner for companies seeking less dilutive financing than a traditional buyout. Stonehenge is committed to building strong, long-term relationships with the management teams of its portfolio companies. 

They act as a patient and supportive partner, offering strategic guidance without taking day-to-day control. This approach has proven successful across sectors like manufacturing, business services, and consumer products, making them a key player in the Ohio investment landscape.

7. Rockwood Equity Partners

Located in Cleveland, Rockwood Equity Partners is a private equity firm that invests in lower-middle-market companies. Rockwood focuses on businesses in the manufacturing, value-added distribution, and business services sectors, typically with revenues between $10 million and $75 million. 

The firm excels at partnering with family-owned businesses and corporate divestitures to unlock potential and drive growth. Their strategy involves a hands-on, operational focus, working with management to implement best practices, improve efficiency, and pursue strategic add-on acquisitions. 

Rockwood’s team brings significant operational and financial experience, helping to professionalize and scale the companies they invest in for long-term success.

8. MCM Capital Partners

MCM Capital Partners, headquartered in Cleveland, is a private equity firm that has been investing in the lower-middle market since 1992. The firm specializes in acquiring and growing niche manufacturers, value-added distributors, and service companies. 

MCM focuses on businesses with enterprise values between $15 million and $75 million, often partnering with founders and family-owned businesses. MCM’s investment philosophy is centered on providing both capital and strategic resources to help companies achieve their full potential. 

They work collaboratively with management to identify growth opportunities, enhance operations, and execute strategic plans. Their long history in the Ohio market gives them a deep understanding of the regional industrial landscape.

9. Crane Group

With headquarters in Columbus, Crane Group is a family-owned holding and management company that operates much like a private equity firm with a long-term investment horizon. Founded in 1947, Crane has a rich history of acquiring and growing a portfolio of businesses, primarily in manufacturing and distribution. 

Unlike traditional PE firms with fixed fund life cycles, Crane invests with patient, permanent capital. This long-term perspective allows Crane Group to focus on sustainable growth and operational excellence without the pressure of a near-term exit. 

They partner with companies and provide strategic oversight, financial discipline, and access to a broad network of resources. Their investments in companies like Crane Renovation Group and Crane Plastics demonstrate their commitment to building lasting value in the Ohio business community.

10. Blue Point Capital Partners

Situated in Cleveland, Blue Point Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on partnering with middle-market companies. With a history tracing back to 1990, Blue Point invests in manufacturing, business services, and distribution companies, typically with revenues between $30 million and $300 million. 

The firm’s investment philosophy is built on collaboration, working closely with management teams to create long-term value. Blue Point leverages its deep industry experience and global network, particularly its strong presence in Asia, to help companies expand their markets and optimize their supply chains. 

A notable aspect of their strategy is the emphasis on operational improvement and strategic acquisitions to accelerate growth. Their portfolio includes companies like Sylvan Group (a provider of mushroom products) and Transtar (a distributor of automotive aftermarket parts).

11. Strength Capital Partners

With an office in Cincinnati, Strength Capital Partners is a private equity firm that invests in middle-market manufacturing, distribution, and service companies. The firm seeks out businesses with a history of stable cash flow and strong market positions. 

Their investment criteria typically target companies with $4 million to $20 million in EBITDA. Strength Capital’s strategy involves partnering with existing management teams to drive value through a combination of operational improvements and strategic growth initiatives. 

They provide the capital and expertise needed to execute buy-and-build strategies, expand into new markets, and enhance product offerings. This makes them a key partner for established businesses looking to scale.

Let’s Recap

Ohio is home to a dynamic and diverse group of private equity firms that are instrumental in driving economic growth and corporate success. From global giants in Cleveland to specialized middle-market partners in Columbus and Cincinnati, these firms stand out due to their industry expertise, strategic investments, and ability to create lasting value.

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